Los Angeles (Santa Monica Boulevard Transit Parkway)

Santa Monica Boulevard Transit Parkway

Los Angeles, California

(November 1996)

Description

The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) is studying a section of Santa Monica Boulevard (SR-2) between the San Diego Freeway (I-405) and Moreno Drive, the boundary line between the cities of Los Angeles and Beverly Hills. The purpose of the study is to develop a multi-modal corridor, including improved operational efficiency of the roadway, priority treatments to improve bus transit flow, improved aesthetics, a bikeway and parkway, increased safety, and the preservation of the right-of-way for future rail improvements in the Santa Monica Boulevard corridor. The MTA has developed a project alternative with an estimated cost of $69.1 million.

Status

Section 3035 (eee) of ISTEA directed FTA to enter into a multiyear grant agreement with the State of California for $15 million. The agreement would cover the construction of the initial 2.2-mile segment. These funds have not yet been appropriated. An additional $8.9 million was authorized in Section 1108 of ISTEA.

In April 1994, the MTA analyzed conceptual alternatives for transportation improvements in the larger Santa Monica Boulevard Corridor, between the 405 and 101 freeways. The Corridor Study recommended the Santa Monica Boulevard Transit Parkway as a near-term improvement.

The MTA subsequently prepared a Project Study Report (PSR) for the project, which was approved by Caltrans in October 1994. The PSR outlined a 10-lane, one-way couplet project concept, which included dedicated bus transit lanes and a landscaped bikeway. The creation of a grand boulevard composed of two one-way roadways, incorporating neighborhood protections, neighborhood access, on-street parking, and possibly a frontage road, would resolve the queuing limitations, improve safety of the two roadways, and provide a more efficient facility.

In January 1996, MTA initiated a Major Investment Study (MIS) that includes the 10-lane alternative as well as additional alternatives with fewer lanes.